STAFF

Our Team

Jerry Akin

About Jerry

Jerry is a native of Columbus, Georgia. Hearing and learning scripture at a young age played a key role in his spiritual formation, so he has a passion for guiding and equipping families to grow in their faith.

He also believes that the local church should be an outpost of God’s Kingdom, and he considers it a great privilege to witness that Kingdom of love and grace as it breaks into this world through the people and ministries of Pierce Chapel.

Jerry graduated from the University of Alabama, Candler School of Theology, and Duke University, where he received his Doctorate of Ministry degree. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Clare, and their children, Liam and Hannah Clare. He also enjoys running, writing stories and devotionals, and spending time in the outdoors.

Linda Laye

Pastoral Care Assistant
linda@piercechapel.com

About Linda

Linda is a Deaconess in the United Methodist Church, having been consecrated to that role in May of 2020 after significant theological education and training.

Linda is also a Certified Lay Minister (CLM) in the UMC, by completing CLM training through our South GA Conference over the past couple of years. 

But beyond all of that valuable credentialing, Linda is a beautiful example of loving servanthood, care, and compassion. We have been the recipients of her faithful ministry in so many areas as she has lived out her call to be a disciple right here within our own congregation in countless volunteer capacities over many years.  

Roseanna Harbuck

Director of Programs & Missions
roseanna@piercechapel.com

About Roseanna

Roseanna is originally from Buena Vista, Georgia, where she grew up in the Methodist Church. She attended Georgia State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art History.

Roseanna served on staff at Pierce Chapel as the Children’s Ministry Coordinator from 2014-2021, and moved into the position of Director of Programs & Communications in 2022. She loves helping connect people and grow the body of Christ through this multi-faceted role! She is also passionate about missions and cross-cultural work and enjoys helping coordinate Pierce Chapel’s mission efforts to help extend God’s love to world.

Roseanna is married to her high school sweetheart, Kasey, and they are the proud parents of Rayna. Their family enjoys traveling and trying new foods!

Gini Davidson

Director of Music Ministries
gini@piercechapel.com

About Gini

Info coming soon!

Noah Barfield

Director of Youth Ministries
noah@piercechapel.com

About Noah

Noah came to Pierce Chapel from Christ Community Church (his home church). For the last 3 of those years, Noah volunteered as the “right-hand man” of CCC’s full-time youth minister.

Noah has a passion for students and seeks to help them know their hope and value in Christ. He is committed to pouring his life into our students to encourage and challenge them to follow Christ with their whole hearts!

A graduate of Veritas Classical School in 2016, he also earned his Bachelors in Ministry Leadership degree through Toccoa Falls College. Noah married Ansley in June 2021 and Ansley is a faithful volunteer with our youth ministries.

Beth Hudson

Children’s Ministry Coordinator
kids@piercechapel.com

About Beth

Beth has many years of experience serving children and families as a nanny as well as years of experience managing employees in a retail setting.  She not only loves to connect with people herself, but she also has the natural ability to help connect people with one another. 

Beth identifies “shepherding” as one of her spiritual gifts, and her desire is to shepherd children into the knowledge that they are deeply loved by God and to support parents as they guide their children in a growing relationship with Jesus.

Beth and her husband, Will, have three children:  Elijah, Everett, and Elaina.   

Elena Graves

Children’s Ministry Assistant

kids@piercechapel.com

About Elena

Elena has been an active member of Pierce Chapel for years and grew up in our Children’s Ministry. She has a heart for kids and has always wanted to serve in this role to give back to the church.  Elena is a gifted leader and devoted young follower of Christ and her gifts get to shine through her work with our Children’s Ministry! She is also employed with our Pierce Chapel Preschool during the week.

Elena is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Ministry Leadership at Toccoa Falls College. She enjoys the outdoors, music, and teaching kids about Jesus’ love!

Taylor Heinzelman

Nursery Director
nursery@piercechapel.com

About Taylor

Taylor, raised up at Pierce Chapel, has often said it was her childhood dream to one day serve as Nursery Director! She began volunteering in the nursery as a teenager and served many years as a regular nursery worker before becoming our Nursery Director. Taylor also works with our Pierce Chapel Preschool during the week.

She is married to Kevin and they have two children, Brenna and Charlie.  Their family loves to explore new places and enjoy the outdoors. 

Debbie Korytoski

Preschool Director
preschool@piercechapel.com

About Debbie

Debbie accepted the role of Preschool Director in January 2022. She has an impeccable reputation as an educator  in this community and she is dedicated to loving and serving children and their families in truly life-shaping ways. 

Over her career, she has served as  Assistant Principal and Principal in Harris County, and in her work as Assistant Superintendent of Schools, she oversaw the Pre-K program for all of Harris County.  Debbie has a proven track record of fostering healthy, supportive relationships with staff, with parents, and with children. 

She and husband, Doright, have two sons who are both in college: Philip & Andrew.

Clare Akin

Graphics & Publications Coordinator
clare@piercechapel.com

About Clare

Clare is a native of Columbus, GA where she grew up in the Methodist Church. She attended the University of Alabama and graduated with a degree in Fine Arts.

Clare enjoys spending her spare time with her family, taking photographs of nature, sewing, and painting. She loves to put her creative skills to work while serving the church!
She and her husband, Jerry, and their two children, Liam and Hannah Clare, enjoy vacationing in the mountains and at their favorite beach spot, Jekyll Island.

Dawn Krueger

Financial Secretary
dawn@piercechapel.com

About Dawn

Dawn received her Bachelors in Accounting and MBA from Columbus State University. She has been working in accounting for over 15 years because she loves numbers and how they are accurate and exact. She married Eric Krueger in August 1999 and they had their daughter, Madeleine, in 2002 and their son, Nicholas, in 2005. Her children play sports all over the southeast and her family loves to travel to their sporting events.

As Pierce Chapel’s financial secretary, she hopes to serve those in the church by providing accurate and reliable information.

Laura Stewart

About Laura

Laura moved to Columbus from San Antonio 28 years ago.  She was determined to return to Texas, but God had other plans; He provided a great job at TSYS, where she met her husband, Steve, of 21 years.  After working for TSYS 25 years, she retired but soon joined Pierce Chapel staff as our friendly and helpful receptionist!

Laura states,  “Even though I don’t attend Pierce Chapel, the people are outstanding; everyone has made me feel like family, like I belong here!” You can expect a smile, warm welcome and friendly help anytime you visit or call our church office!

Robbie Nicholas

Young Adult/College Student Minister
robbie@piercechapel.com

About Robbie

Robbie is originally from Hattiesburg, Mississippi but grew up the son of diplomats in South Africa, Germany and Japan. Serving as our Young Adult/College Student Minister, Robbie has a heart for a demographic he says are “consistently skipped over but expected to lead”.

When not developing mature disciples who know, love and serve Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, Robbie serves as a Detective with the Columbus Police Department. Robbie received both his Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice and Master Degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University. He is currently completing the course work for Certified Lay Minister in the Global Methodist Church. Robbie and his wife, Tiffany have two teenage daughters, Addison and Reagan.

Sierra Wells

Music Ministry Assistant & Vocalist

sierrareis@gmail.com

About Sierra

Sierra began working with Pierce Chapel’s Music Ministry while in high school and has been serving as an assistant to our music director for several years.  She is our lead vocalist and beautifully leads our congregation in songs and hymns on Sunday mornings. Sierra recently graduated from Columbus State University in December 2024 with a degree in Music Education and Voice. Sierra also teaches and shares her musical knowledge at Wynnbrook School and through private lessons.

Sierra married her long-time sweetheart, Ethan Wells, in the spring of 2025.

Will Hudson

Facilities Manager
will@piercechapel.com

About Will

Will has worked for The Georgia Lottery Corporation for the last decade but recently has come on staff to serve as the Facilities Manager. You will find him working hard to maintain the church property and transitioning the church to prepare for the many meetings and events that happen each week.

Will says “I like Pierce Chapel for the community of believers. The missions, the relationships, the feeling of genuine people growing together to be more like Jesus. That’s what brought our family to here.” Will is married to our Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Beth Hudson and they have 3 children. 

 Will finds enjoyment in fly fishing and other outdoor and hunting activities when he has a few hours off!

Kasey Harbuck

Audio/Visual Coordinator
kasey.harbuck@gmail.com

About Kasey

Kasey is from Buena Vista, GA and graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from Georgia Tech. He is employed full-time by Bertelkamp Automation Systems but spends his spare time managing the church’s audio/visual needs for our Sunday services and livestream.

Kasey is married to staff member, Roseanna, and they have one daughter, Rayna. Kasey enjoys traveling, dining, reading and, like any engineer, solving problems!